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CT
(Computed Tomography)
CT Scan General Information
Lung Cancer Screening
Cardiac Scoring
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CT Scan
General Information
A CT scan is a medical imaging exam that produces cross-sectional images.
It is a special type of x-ray that produces high resolution images of
the body and can distinguish bone, tissue, fat, gas and fluid. It can
often replace other diagnostic techniques such as exploratory surgery and
other invasive procedures. This procedure is commonly used to detect or
rule out tumors, blood clots, gastrointestinal, enlarged lymph nodes,
neurological, back problems, lung cancer and many other disorders.
The purpose of a CT scan is to:
- Provide detailed images for detecting disease.
- Useful in monitoring your progress during or
after treatment.
- Determine if a growth is solid or fluid-filled,
and if an organ's size and shape are normal.
A technologist will position you on the examination
table. You will then be moved into the doughnut-shaped scanner. As the
equipment scans you will hear the whirring sound of the machinery.
Oral sedation is available to patients for this exam. After the exam the radiologist will provide your physician with the results of your CT scan. Your physician can then determine your best treatment options.
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Patient Preparation
Sometimes a liquid called contrast medium is necessary to highlight
certain structures. This is given to you either in the form of a drink,
through an IV or both. If contrast is needed for your exam, you will be
asked to avoid foods and fluids for up to four hours prior to your scan.
Be sure to tell your physician if you have any allergies, especially to
iodine. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. You may even be asked
to change into a gown. Jewelry, hairpins, and eyeglasses must be removed
if you are having a scan of your head.
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Specific Exam
Preparation
Oral contrast is frequently given.
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CT Scan of abdomen:
- Do not eat or drink for four hours prior to your exam, except for the prescribed contrast
- Drink one bottle of contrast two hours prior to
your exam.
- When you arrive in the CT department, you will receive an additional cup of contrast to drink
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CT Scan
of abdomen and pelvis:
- Do not eat or drink four hours prior to your
exam.
- Drink one bottle of Readi-cat three hours prior
to your exam.
- Drink the second bottle an hour and a half later.
- When you arrive in the CT department, you will
receive an additional cup of Readi-cat to drink
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Low Dose
Screening CT for the Detection of Lung Cancer
This procedure is for people at high risk for developing lung cancer,
i.e.: smokers with 10-year history or other high-risk patients. A
prescription from your referring physician is required for this low-dose,
screening CT procedure.
Low dose screening CTs are intended to supplement or
replace routine chest films which are performed on patients without
symptoms or known disease. The test is specifically designed to rapidly
screen the lungs with minimal radiation exposure and allow detection of
pulmonary nodules. No intravenous contrast is used.
A brief, risk-factor questionnaire is completed.
Next you lay down on the imaging table where the CT technologist will ask
you to hold your breath for a short period of time. Your exam is complete
in 20 seconds and you return to your regular routine. The procedure is
pain-free, non-invasive and inexpensive. We are able to offer this
procedure because we have the latest helical CT scanner with current
software and hardware, namely our Light Speed Ultra and Light Speed Plus
CT imaging machines.
A radiologist will read the results of the
examination and results should be available in twenty-four to forty-eight
hours.
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